Judge Who Punched Attorney Returning to Bench

NBC Miami ^ | Saturday, Jun 28, 2014

[nickcarraway]

A Florida judge accused of punching an assistant public defender during an altercation outside a courtroom is returning to the bench but in a different capacity.

SNIP

Murphy allegedly hit assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock outside a courtroom after the two exchanged words over whether his client could have a speedy trial.

[NonValueAdded]

Brevard County, Florida ping.

Let me know if you want on or off this ping list.
(not associated with the county government)

[Ciexyz]

This makes me feel very cynical.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I think it would be awesome if justice became a contact sport.

[Star Traveler]

I need more information before I decide who SHOULD have been punched ... :-) ...

[dljordan]

“I think it would be awesome if justice became a contact sport.”

No, you wouldn’t. Anyway, the supposed justice we are subject to in this police state is already a contact sport. I’m thinking of SWAT teams blowing holes in babies and the Sheriff saying “I’m OK with that”.

On the other hand, I understand what you’re saying.

[skr]

More info at http://judgepedia.org/John_C._Murphy

‘When the brief fight ended, the people in the courtroom clapped. The New York Daily News reported that they were applauding the judge. One witness told WKMG-TV that Weinstock had acted “extremely rude.”’

[E. Pluribus Unum]

“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” ― H.L. Mencken

[yldstrk]

this dude needs to be off the bench

[yldstrk]

the idiots who applauded didn’t get that what the judge was trying to force the attorney to do was waive the defendant’s right to a speedy trial to assist the judge with his calendar. The attorney can’t do that. The judge had no right to say or do the things he did, he is not of judicial temperament.

[1035rep]

Deputy Bryon Griffin, who was at the scene, later explained:
“ I stepped into the back hallway and saw the two of them grabbing ahold of each other’s suitcoat, pushing each other back and forth...I heard Judge Murphy say, ‘Do you wanna f-ck with me, do you?’ and I heard Mr. Weinstock say, ‘Alright.’ I immediately stepped in and separated the two of them as they still had a grasp on each other.[8] ”

—Deputy Bryon Griffin[10]

When the brief fight ended, the people in the courtroom clapped. The New York Daily News reported that they were applauding the judge. One witness told WKMG-TV that Weinstock had acted “extremely rude.”[6]

No charges were filed against the judge, though he agreed to take a temporary leave of absence and to seek anger management counseling.[11]

[1035rep]

“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” ― H.L. Mencken

I know that feeling :)

[TurkeyLurkey]

There is a video of it at the link...unbelievable.

[Guenevere]

The attorney was rude, not respectful.......perhaps the judge had had a snootful of this guy.....

If you listened to the tape, the judge DOES give the man a right to a speedy trial.

[Pining_4_TX]

I mean, be fair. Haven’t we all wanted to punch a lawyer at some time or other?

[yldstrk]

I did listen to the tape

the judge wannted the lawyer to waive it

[Joe Boucher]

whole lot of lawyers need a good punching.

[KevinB]

If you listened to the tape, the judge DOES give the man a right to a speedy trial.

A speedy trial is a right guaranteed to every defendant by the Constitution. A judge cannot give a defendant a right to a speedy trial. Nor can a judge take it away. Only the defendant can terminate that right through voluntary waiver. In this case the judge was trying to get the defendant to waive the right and the attorney, quite properly, refused to do so on behalf of his client.

[Guenevere]

Did you listen to the tape?
I listened to the tape.
Where does the judge deny the man his right to a speedy trial???????

[KevinB]

Yes, I listened to the tape. My post was in response to your earlier statement that “the judge DOES give the man a right to a speedy trial.” My point, again, is that a judge does not give a right to a speedy trial. The defendant already has that right under the Constitution. A judge can’t give it or take it away. It only goes away if the defendant chooses to waive it. The judge was trying to get the defendant to waive the right and the attorney, appropriately, was having none of it.